Thursday, October 8, 2015

Communication between a parent or caregiver and an infant is
fundamental for a child’s development. Even though it is the adult using words,
the child is also participating in the conversation in different ways such as
moving their eyes, using facial expressions and even crying. Maintaining and
fostering a trusting bond of communication is an essential way to help a child
through separation anxiety.

After about 6 to 8 months, children begin to
develop a sense of object permanence and start to express some separation
anxiety. This is completely normal and expected. Though there may not have been
substantial changes in the routines of the caregiver, the child will begin to
express discomfort at times of separation, often crying loudly and
inconsolably.This can occur at
bedtime, when a child is passed into someone else’s arms, or simply when the
primary caregiver leaves the room for a moment. There are many ways a caregiver
can help themselves and the child through this stage of development. Caregivers
who are able to build a foundation of trust through honest, respectful and
consistent communication will have invaluable tools for helping children
overcome separation anxiety.

A caregiver can foster trust through communication by
consistently informing a child as to what is affecting them in a simple, clear
and appropriate way. A popular example is telling a child, “I am going to pick
you up now” before doing so. Similarly, a child might arch their torso in
anticipation, or in the hopes, of being lifted out of bed. This kind of
communication helps assure the child that they have a caregiver they can rely
on to provide a safe, stable routine free of constantly unexpected situations.
The child will not be left with the responsibility of constantly wondering what
is going to happen next. Throughout time, a foundation of trust is built on
this verbal and nonverbal dialogue between the child and caregiver.

During times of separation, a trusting bond of communication
between a caregiver and child will gradually alleviate the anxiety the child
may feel. When a child is going through stages of separation anxiety saying
goodbye, even for a quick errand, can be a real challenge for parents. To avoid
these challenges some parents may resort to long drawn-out goodbyes,
distractions, promises or elaborate stealthy escapes. Instead, it is important
to try to anticipate how goodbyes can be particularly sensitive for a child.
Keeping this in mind, parents can inform the child beforehand when they will be
leaving and returning. Then, when the moment comes, parents can use brief words
accompanied by reassuring body language to say goodbye.

Though the child may
still cry, the constant trusting communication over time will help the child to
be assured in knowing that their parents will come back. Additionally, the
person left with the child can also contribute by acknowledging the child’s
feelings and saying something like, “I understand you are sad, but your parents
will come back. I will be here with you until they return. Meanwhile, would you
like to play or read a book?” By providing their child with an environment where they know what to expect, where their feelings are acknowledged, and their insecurities are addressed, parents are allowing their child space to slowly overcome their separation anxiety.

Establishing a trusting bond of communication with a child
from day one will enable parents and caregivers to be more supportive to a
child experiencing any kind of anxiety. Beyond separation anxiety, parents can
use this approach to let a child know, in a clear honest and appropriate way,
what to expect at a doctors office, or prepare them for new a different things
they may encounter on a vacation. When a child is allowed to grow up in an
environment where they are treated with respect, honesty, stability and
consistency, they will have a strong foundation to help them overcome
separation as well as the many other challenges they will experience growing
up.

Monday, July 27, 2015

Here is an outstanding selection of articles about the
importance of play and learning fromNature. By
examining the effect the environment has on children’s ability to play, author
Barbara Kiser, demonstrates how, “…infant scientists and young explorers thrive
in the open air and through free play…”

Accompanying this article is industrial and playground designer,
Günter Beltzig’s analysis on the need to rethink playground design so that it
takes into account the depth of research that already exists regarding free
play and learning.

“There is still no
academic underpinning to playground-design theory, even though there is for
graveyard design. The body of knowledge on children's behavior gathered by
educationalists, psychologists and neuroscientists has not permeated playground
design, so most such spaces fail to inspire play and the physical, emotional,
social and psychological development that it engenders.” -Günter Beltzig

About Magdalena

Education has always been the leading passion in my life, teaching in all levels of education from pre-school to the university level. After earning my elementary teaching diploma, graduating with a degree in History and Geography in Buenos Aires Argentina, I taught for 5 years at the secondary school level and 5 years as a university professor. Upon moving to Mexico I worked as an advisor to the Mexican government researching methods of pre-school and elementary school that had great success in Argentina and adapting them for Mexico at the state level.